Cops Looking To Nab Brazen Robber Who Punched Female Clerks In The Face

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Authorities are searching for a brazen suspect who they say punched two women clerks before rifling the cash register and their purses during a daylight robbery in their Little Tokyo store, a police spokesman said Saturday.

The attack on the two female clerks took place in a store on the 200 block of East 1st Street around 4:30 p.m. Friday, Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Officer Bruce Borihanh said.

The male suspect entered the store, walked up to the clerk behind the counter and punched the woman in the face before emptying the cash register, Borihanh said. A second clerk tried to intervene but was punched in the face several times, suffering major injuries in the attack.

Christy Fajardo, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, said the clerks "were both women in their 60s." She also quoted other storekeepers are saying how nice and well-liked the clerks were by store owners and patrons alike.

Before fleeing, the robber also emptied the women's purses.

"Nothing but a bully," said LAPD Senior Lead Officer Jack Richter. "The suspect could have taken the money and fled, but he chose to brutally attack two innocent women who did not resist."

The suspect was described as a male Hispanic in his 40s with black hair and brown eyes. He stands 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds, according to police. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with tan pants and dark brown dress shoes.

Anyone with information on the identity of this suspect was asked to call LAPD's Central Division robbery detectives at (213) 972-1203. Tipsters can also call the LAPD's 24-hour tipline at (877) LAPD-24-7. All tips can be made anonymously.